Several good newsbites in the Memphis Business Journal yesterday. A “gastropub” called South of Beale is going to open at 361 S. Main. According to the article, they’re going to take the concept of a neighborhood bar and make it more upscale, using local food products as much as possible, including products from the Memphis Farmers Market.
Also in the MBJ, flower shop Gestures has announced that it’s closing its South Main location and moving to Laurelwood in East Memphis. I’ve heard rumors (but haven’t confirmed anything yet) that an Irish pub may be going into that location.
Speaking of businesses opening in South Main… last night at Trolley Tour I stopped in Beignet Cafe, on GE Patterson in the old Tri-State Defender Building, approximately across from Calhoun’s. It’s not open for business yet – they were just giving Trolley Tour guests a sneak preview. That is going to be a neat little spot – it feels like a French cafe inside. I hear it’s going to be a coffee bar during the day and a wine bar at night. The owner told me he’d let me come in and take some pics prior to opening.
The fabulous Hope Clayburn will take the stage at the Center for Southern Folklore next Saturday, April 4, with her band Soul Scrimmage. Cover is $5 and the show starts at 9 PM. It will be an evening of soul and funk with Hope on sax, flute, and vocals.
Story in the CA today: Downtown stakeholders are using social media to drive visitors to the area. The CCC, Southern Growth Studio, and Live from Memphis will partner on this, to use Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and other social media as well as more conventional media to get a buzz going about Downtown.
The Zodiac Ball raising funds for the American Cancer Society is tonight at the Peabody.
Orleans on Front will have another crawfish boil tomorrow, Sunday, March 29. This one will start at 2 PM and they will have crawfish and shrimp, the Budweiser truck, and DJ Tree in the parking lot next to the restaurant.
Early night for me last night. I started at the Saucer for happy hour, then did South Main Trolley Tour, enjoying some delicious hot dogs, chicken wings, and Boscos beer compliments of the SMA. By 9 I was starting to feel the sleep deprivation effects of my first full-time work week in 5 months… headed north to Bardog for a couple of beers, then home. Will stay out later tonight. Not sure of plans yet though.